Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (BDE)

Daedalus Reef (AKA Abu Kizan) is the most offshore of all the reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. It is approximately 52 NM (=96 km) east of Marsa Alam, it is included in Egypt's Red Sea Marine Park. The island is 400 meter long and 100 meter wide, it is marked by a lighthouse which forms the only break on the horizon for many miles in any direction. Daedalus Reef features an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagic including hammerheads, manta rays, whale sharks and more. All around its steep walls there is an extreme variety of fish life. The reef is a huge submerged reef table and the surrounding reef wall drops off at 30-40m to depths of 500m. There is abundant growth of soft corals. Typical of Daedalus are its huge and pristine hard coral formations.

This long finger like reef runs from north to south in the open Red Sea. Steep walls drop to the depths on the reef’s east and west sides, while the north and south ends of the reefs are marked by submerged plateau. Sharks often swim by the spot to feed on the abundant reef fish population. This is one of the most famous dive site in Egypt. The Elphinstone Reef is full of healthy corals, magnificent clear blue water, and rich marine life. It is also a great destination to see your first shark.

Gotta Abu Ramada is a medium-sized, oval-shaped reef, surrounded with a shallow, flat, sandy seabed, It is one of the most popular dive sites around Hurghada and it is also called the Aquarium, due to the diversity and a large number of fish species.The maximum depth at this dive site is about 15 meters, this dive site is suitable for all levels of divers. The shallow depths at Gotta Abu Ramada make this dive site ideal for check-dive, beginners & night dives.

Abu Dabbab reef, Fishermen have numbered the reefs of the entire formation from north to south with the numbers one to six, which has to lead to the individual names Abu Dabbab Wahid, Ithnain and Thalata (1, 2 and 3 respectively). The site lies just 4 km off the mainland, 10 NM south of Port Ghalib and 15NM north of Marsa Alam, ideal for check dive right at the beginning of a tour, or for the last dive at the end. Because of its close to Elphinstone, which is just 3NM away, Abu Dabbab has become a popular site for shallow dives for those who have done a deep dive in Elphinstone, which occasionally makes it crowded on the surface and underwater.

Little Brother Island is really great for amazing walls covered by unspoiled hard and soft Coral. The underwater scenery is really breathtaking and diving there is just mind-blowing. Hammerhead Sharks, Grey Reef and Silvertip Sharks are often spotted there. The top of the reef is quite shallow and makes a great spot for your safety stop!

Mangrove Bay is a protected bay surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees with some special treasures hiding among their roots to discover. Most marine inhabitants hide there to spawn or to give birth and the juveniles seek protection there. In the center you will find sandy bottom with mostly hard corals.

This reef is 2 km long and gently slopes down directly from the coast. More than 5 spots invite to pleasant dives. Sometimes a slight current makes drift diving possible. A drop off can be found between 25 to 30 meters. In its southern part the reef opens into the wonderful coral garden of Abu Soma

Small Giftun Island has been a marine reserve for a few years now and it is one of the best dives in the area. The wall drops away to about 100m so pick your depth and gradually work your way back up as you drift along in the current.

There’s a vertical wall that spans out into a shelf with an erg, reaching up to 5 meters below the surface. The same shelf ‘ transforms’ into another wall, equipped with coral sculptures. Erg Somaya is slightly exposed to weather elements. For the deeper sections some experience is recommended. Currents can be strong and you will need good control of your buoyancy.

Ras Torombi resembles a jungle. The coastline is wild and still untouched and underwater awaits a beautiful, unspoiled coral reef. You will find barracudas, rays, lionfish and thousands of small reef fish and occasionally a turtle. Torombi Garden is a small lagoon, just south of the large bay, which attracts more and more divers. Perfect place for check-dives.

The Loss of the Aida: The Aida was ferrying troops to this island when, on 15 September 1957, she struck the reef and began to sink. The front of this ship is missing. The remainder, however, is virtually intact from a point immediately in front of the bridge deck all the way to the stern. She lies at a steep angle starts from 28m up the reef with her stern at a depth of 60m. The coral growth is outstanding but gets more vibrant as you ascend. The water is exceptionally clear making this wreck a thing of great beauty.

On 19 July 1901 the Numidia crashed onto the rocks on Big Brother Island - less than 500 feet from the Lighthouse! Every effort was made to re-float the ship without success, the Numidia broke and the rear half sank against the Reef with the stern coming to rest at 80m. Left us with the most beautiful shipwreck. There are a number of large deck winches but no cargo booms. At 8-12m, the top of the bridge and accommodation deck is shallowest. Due to the permanent currents an amazing abundance of soft corals claim the wreck, vibrant marine life surrounds the divers when they start to explore the Numidia.